Cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device for the interior of tanks, silos and the like has a foldable and spreadable framework carrying spray heads. The framework can be folded to permit insertion through an opening, and can then be spread in the interior of the receptacle. The interior framework can be rotated about a longitudinal axis, and each of the spray heads can in itself be rotated with reference to the framework.

United States Patent 1191 Hammelmann 1451 Aug. 6, 19.74

CLEANING DEVICE Inventor: Paul Hammelmann, Zum Sundern 17,474,Oelde/Westfalen, Germany Filed: Mar. 8, 1973 Appl. No.: 339,104

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 4, 1972 Germany 2221781 us.cl 239/227, 239/243, 239/548 rm. c1..... B05b 3/04, B05b 13/06, B05b15/10 Field of Search 239 227, 240, 243,562,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1936 Richard 239/2274/1937 George 239/227 7/1951 Kurt 239/227 3,140,828 7/1964 Galaiior .1239/227 3,595,256 7/1971 Waltman et a1. 239/227 X FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 210,729 8/1960 Austria 239/227 76,342 l/l933 Sweden 239/243Primary Examiner-Robert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmMichael S.Striker ABSTRACT A cleaning device for the interior of tanks, silos andthe like has a foldable and spreadable framework carrying spray heads.The framework can be folded to permit insertion through an opening, andcan then be spread in the interior of the receptacle. The interiorframework can be rotated about a longitudinal axis, and each of thespray heads can in itself be rotated with reference to the framework.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUG 6l974 SHEET 5 BF 6 1 CLEANINGDEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relatesgenerally to a cleaning device, and more particularly to a cleaningdevice for cleaning the interior of receptacles such as autoclaves,spray towers, silos, tanks and the like.

It is frequently necessary to clean the interior of a receptacle, and ofcourse such receptacles may be quite large, such as large tanks,autoclaves, spray towers, silos and the like. In many instances thesereceptacles have a relatively small dimensioned opening through whichthe cleaning device must be inserted and withdrawn. To facilitatethecleaning action the spray heads or spray nozzles of such cleaningdevices, from which water or another suitable cleaning fluid is ejectedunder pressure, should be relatively close to the inner surfaces of therespective receptacle which are to be cleaned. It is therefore knownfrom the prior art to provide such a cleaning device having acylindrical tube or pipe which can be inserted into the opening of areceptacle and which carries a framework not unlike the supporting frameof an umbrella. In a manner which is also reminiscent of an umbrella,this framework can be spread apart or folded against the pipe by meansof a piston which is shiftably or slidably mounted on the pipe andconnected with the framework. The framework is composed of tubularelements through which water is supplied to the spray heads carried atthe outer ends of the tubular elements. This prior-art device alreadyrepresents an improvement over what was known before it. However, thereis atendency towards larger and larger receptacles of the type here inquestion, and because the device once inserted into the opening isstationary except for the possibility of folding or spreading it,coupled with the fact that the jets of water or similar cleaning fluidthat can be ejected have only a limited reach, it has been found thatwith increasing inner diameter of the receptacles to be cleaned theprior-art device in question does not operate fully satisfactorily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, a general object of thepresent invention to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved cleaning device, particularly a cleaning device suitable forcleaning the interior of receptacles, which overcomes thesedisadvantages.

Still more specifically, it is an object of the invention to providesuch a cleaning device which makes it possible for jets of cleaningfluid ejected from the spray heads or nozzles of the device to bedirected against the surfaces to be cleaned from an optimum distance,and for them to be capable of contacting the entire surface which is tobe cleaned.

In addition, the cleaning device according to the present inventionshould be relatively simple in its construction, rugged, and reliable inoperation.

In keeping with these objects, and with others which will becomeapparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a cleaningdevice, particularly for cleaning the interior of receptacles, whichcomprises a foldable and spreadable framework, and operating sired. Aplurality of spray heads is mounted on the framework and supply means isprovided for supplying fluid under pressure to these spray heads.Mounting means mounts the framework for rotation about an axis and drivemeans is associated with the framework and is operative for effectingrotation of the same about this axis.

Thus, the cleaning device according to the present invention can afterits insertion through whatever opening into the respective receptacle,be rotated about the aforementioned axis and will thus provide forsignificantly improved cleaning of the surfaces in question.

The drive means may be pneumatic, it may be electric or hydraulic, or itmay in fact be of any type suitable. Particularly advantageously thedrive means may have a drive unit which is driven via a partial streamof the cleaning fluid, and which causes the framework to be rotatedabout the aforementioned axis in steps, rather than continuously. Thus,each spray or jet of cleaning fluid ejected from the respective sprayheads will have the opportunity to impinge upon a given portion of asurface to be cleaned for a given period of time rather than simply moveover it, and the cleaning action afforded by the cleaning deviceaccording to the present invention is thus significantly improved.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a slightly diagrammaticaxial section through a hydraulic drive means of a cleaning deviceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic partially sectioned illustration showing theremainder of the cleaning device which is driven by the drive means ofFIG. 1, with the framework in folded condition;

FIG. 3 illustrates the components of FIG. 2 but in spread condition;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line IVIV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a further embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned view similar to FIG. 3 but illustratingthe framework of FIG. 5 in spread condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing firstly theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 it will be seen that referencenumeral 1 identifies a water hose or pipe which is connected via apressure tight screw coupling or fitting 2 with a hydraulic drive means3. Connected with the drive means 3 by the aid of bolts 4,5 is theframework 6 which is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Thedrive means or unit 3 has a center flow passage 32 having alongitudinal axis 30 and communicating with the water pipe 1. It isfurther provided with a bore 7 communicating with the passage .32 anddiverting a means for folding and spreading the framework as de partialstream of the pressure fluid (such as water) which is introduced intothe passage 32 from the pipe 1. An automatically operating reversiblecontrol 8, whose operation will be described in more detail later, isprovided and communicates with the passage 7. The control 8 has acontrol slide 9 which, when it is in the appropriate position, permitswater from the bore 8 to pass via additional bores 10 and 11 into acontrol chamber 12.

The drive unit 3 has an axially shiftable tube 14 which is sealinglyengaged on a cylindrical portion thereof by a seal 13 which determines across section that is constantly under pressure, tending to shift thetube 14 and all components connected with it, namely a housing 15 withguide 16, a sealing arrangement 17 and the unit 8, downwardly (inFIG. 1) in the direction of flow of the pressurized liquid.

The housing 15 will be seen to have two cylindrical extensions 18 and 19of which the former has a larger diameter than the latter but a smallerdiameter than the remainder of the housing 15. Seals 20 and 21 areprovided and cooperate with the projections or extensions 18 and 19 toseal the chamber 12. Due to the fact that the diameter of the extension19 is smaller than the diameter of the tube 14, a part of the constantlyand downwardly acting hydraulic pressure or force is compensated by thepressure acting upon the cross section determined by the seal 20.However, a substantial residual component of force remains, tending todisplace the tube 14 in the direction of the flow of pressurized liquid,that is downwardly in FIG. 1.

When the drive unit 3 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, that is whenthe unit 8 is in the illustrated position, the control slide 9 permitscommunication between the bores 7,10 and 11 so that water which isbranched off the passage 32 via the bore 7 can enter the chamber 12.This causes the pressure in the chamber 12 to rise sufficiently for arelative movement of the housing 15 and the components associated withit in a direction counter to the flow direction of the liquid throughthe passage 32. In other words, the tube 14 is caused to move upwardlyin FIG. 1.

The end portion of the tube 14 which is the upper end portion in FIG. 1is provided with a plurality of spiral flutes 22 which mesh with similarinternal flutes provided in a guide member 23, but loosely enough so asto permit a rotation of the tube 14 about its longitudinal axis 30 asthe tube 14 is being lifted due to the pressure building up in thechamber 12. The free wheeling unit 17, which is known per se, imposesthis rotary movement on the housing 15 and via a slide 24 on the outersleeve 25 at the lower end of the drive unit 3. A thrust bearing 26absorbs the non-compensated hydraulic forces which develop in theinterior of the unit 3, and facilitates the movement of the tube 14.

The position illustrated in FIG. 1 is the position which the unit willhave as the movement of the tube 14 in upward direction just begins.This movement continues until the slide 9 which moves with the tube 14and the unit 8 buts with its upper free end against an abutment 27provided for this purpose. Slightly continued movement of the tube 14and the unit 8 causes the slide 9 to be displaced downwardly into theunit 8, thus blocking the passage of pressure liquid from the bore 7into the bore 10 and at the same time communicating the bores 10 and 11with the exterior of the drive unit 3. This terminates the force actingin the chamber 12 to move the tube 14 in upward direction; because thetube 14 is under a constant downward pressure from the pressurized fluidpassing through it in downward direction, tube 14 now is caused to movedownwardly, at the same time expelling sufficient liquid from thechamber 12 via the passages or bores 11 and 10 so that such movement cantake place. Of course, the tube 14 now also turns in the oppositedirection from before, due to the presence of the spiral flutes 22 andthe spiral grooves of the guide 23. It is, however, not desired that thehousing 15 which, as will become clearer from FIGS. 2-4, is connectedwith the remainder of the cleaning device including the framework,should share in this return rotation. Instead, it is desired that it notparticipate when the tube 14 rotates in this opposite direction, andthis is achieved by having the free wheeling device 17 become disengagedwhen the tube 14 rotates in the opposite direction as it movesdownwardly in FIG. 1. The housing 15 therefore remains stationary whilethe tube 14 moves downwardly. This means that the housing 15 issubjected only to stepwise rotation and only in one direction, wheneverthe tube 14 moves upwardly in FIG. 1.

The tube 34 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the framework (see FIG. 2) isconnected with the drive unit 3 by means of the bolts 4 and 5. Itslongitudinal axis 31 is coaxial and in axial alignment with the axis 30of the passage 32. The tube 34 extends to a distributor 33 which, asFIGS. 2-4 show, is in form of three nipples 35 which extend at rightangles from the tube 34 and each of which carries a sleeve 36 that isrotatable on it. The interior 37 of the nipples 35 communicates via arespective opening 38 with the interior of the tube 34 and flowapertures 39 and 40 are provided in the nipples 35 and 36 to permitliquid under pressure to enter from the tube 34 into the spray tubes 41forming a part of the framework and having outer free ends each of whichcarries a spray head or spray nozzle 42. In the illustrated embodimentspray heads 42 are each provided with two pairs of nozzles 43,44 whichare offset relative to one another by and mounted so that they canrotate about the respective axis 45 as well as performing a stepwiserotary movement about the respective axis 46. In a region of theirconnection with the distributor 33 the tubes 41 are provided with bends47. The manner in which the tubes 41 can pivot between the spreadposition shown in FIG. 3 and the folded position shown in FIG. 2 will beobvious from FIG. 4.

Connected with the tubes 41, or in this case with lugs 48 connected withthe tubes 41, are arms 49 which are pivoted to them and whose oppositeends 50 are pivoted to a tubular piston 51 which is slidably joumalledon an extension portion 53 of the tube 34, as well as being similarlyjoumalled with its forward endcap 52 on the tube 34 itself. Above theendcap 52 there is provided a throttle bore 54 through which liquidunder pressure can pass from the interior of the tube 34 into a chamber55. The throttle bore 54 assures that the speed of sliding movement ofthe piston 51 is limited, so that the speed at which the tube 41 can befolded and spread is similarly controlled.

For further details of the construction and operation of the drive unit3 with its hydraulic controls, and of the spray heads 42, reference maybe had to my prior US. Pat. No. 3,437,271 where such details aredisclosed.

It will be appreciated that the framework is inserted in the foldedcondition of FIG. 2 through an opening in a receptacle whose interior isto be cleaned. If thereafter water or other liquid under pressure isadmitted via the passage 32 into the tube 34, the piston 51, the arms 49and the tubes 41 with the spray heads 42 move to the illustrated spreadposition of FIG. 3. The nozzles 43 and 44 will start to turn about thecommon axis 45 and will also also begin to perform stepwise rotarymovement about the axis 46. In addition, the entire framework 6 willperform a stepwise rotary movement about the longitudinal axis 31 of thetube 34. This assures the desired intensity for cleaning of a surfacewith which the unit is juxtaposed.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5- and 6 there is provided a plurality ofspray units 56 which carry respectivegroups of spray heads 57 and 58each of which has two or more nozzles and can turn about an axis 59. Thegroup of spray, heads 57 is offset through 90 with reference to thegroup of spray heads 58. The units 56 may be hollow so that pressurizedliquid can be supplied via themto the spray heads 57 and 58 which latterare associated with control means moved in the interior of therespective unit 56 in longitudinal direction thereof and in areciprocatory manner, in order to impose a rotary movement upon thespray heads about the axis 59 and 6,0.

In other respects the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 is quite reminiscentof that in FIGS. 1-4 to which reference may be had for details whichhave not been specially illustrated in FIGS. Sand 6. It will be seenthat this latter embodiment also has a central tube 34 connected withthe hydraulic drive unit 3. The supply of pressurized liquid to the unit56 is effected as in the preceeding embodiment via a distributor 33 andvia supporting pipes 61 which are pivoted at 62 to the units 56 andwhich have pivoted to them in turn respective arms 61 which are actuatedin the. same manner as described in FIGS. 1-4 by the piston 51.

The tube 34 in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 has an end portion with adownwardly extending projection or extension 65 which there are pivotedarms 66 whose other ends are pivoted to the respective units 56. Thearms 66 in conjunction with the tubes 61 assure that the unit 56 willmove in complete parallelism with the longitudinal axis of the tube 34during the spreading or folding of the framework. The piston 51 heresurrounds the tube 34 and, depending upon its location, also theextension 64 thereof, intermediate the distributor 33 and tube 61 on theone hand, and the pivot point of the arms 66 on the other hand. i

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a usefulapplication in other types ofconstructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in acleaning device, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown,since various modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be-protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. A cleaning device, particularly for cleaning the interior ofreceptacles, comprising a foldable and spreadable framework including aplurality of elongated members; mounting means including a pipepivotably mounting said framework for rotation about an axis; drivemeans associated with said framework and operative for effectingrotation of the same about said axis; operating means for folding andspreading said framework, including a sleeve slidable along said pipe,linkage arms articulately linking said members with said sleeve, andmoving means for effecting movement of said sleeve along said pipebetween two end positions in which said framework is respectively foldedand spread; a plurality of spray heads mounted on said framework; andsupply means for supplying fluid under pressure to said spray heads.

2. A cleaning device as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive meanscomprises a hydraulic drive unit.

3. A cleaning device as defined in claim 2, wherein said hydraulic driveunit is powered by some of the fluid under pressure and comprises arotatableoutput portion coaxial with said axis.

4. A cleaning device as defined in claim 3, wherein said output portionis an outer sleeve of said hydraulic drive unit; further comprisingconnecting means connecting said mounting means with said outer sleevefor rotation therewith; and motion-imparting means for impartingstepwise rotary motion to said outer sleeve.

5. A cleaning device as defined in claim 4, said hydraulic drive unithaving a center passage for liquid under pressure, and said pipe beingcoaxial withsaid passage and having an inner cross-section correspondingto that of the passage.

6. A cleaning device as defined in claim 5; further comprising adistributor associated with said pipe and spray heads for distributingfluid under pressure from the former to the latter.

7. A cleaning device, particularly for cleaning the interior ofreceptacles, comprising a foldable and spreadable framework including aplurality of elongated members; mounting means including a pipepivotably mounting said framework for rotation about an axis andincluding an extension and a plurality of spray heads; a distributorassociated with said pipe and spray heads for distributing fluid underpressure from the former to the latter, said extension projecting beyondsaid distributor; drive means associated with said framework andoperative for effecting rotation of the same about said axis, said drivemeans including a hydraulic drive unit powered by some of the fluidunder pressure and having a rotatable output portion in form of an outersleeve coaxial with said axis, said hydraulic drive unit having a centerpassage for liquid under pressure which is coaxial with said pipe andhas an inner cross section corresponding to that of said pipe; operatingmeans for folding and spreading said framework, including a sleeveslidable along said extension, linkage arms articulately linking saidmember with said sleeve, and moving means for effecting movement of saidsleeve along said extension between two end positions in which saidframework is respectively folded and spread; connecting means connectingsaid mounting means with said outer sleeve for rotation therewith;motion-imparting means for imparting stepwise rotary motion to saidsleeve; and supply means for supplying fluid under pressure to saidspray heads.

8. A cleaning device as defined in claim 7, wherein said members of saidframework are elongated units each provided with a plurality of saidspray heads and each articulately carried by said pipe.

9. A cleaning device as defined in claim 8, said framework furthercomprising a plurality of tubes each having a first end portionarticulated to said distributor, and a second end portion articulated toone of said units in an end region thereof, a plurality of arms eachhaving spaced end portions articulated to said extension and to anopposite end portion of one of said units, respectively; and whereinsaid sleeve surrounds said extension intermediate said distributor andsaid arms.

10. A cleaning device as defined in claim 8, wherein respective arms ofsaid spray heads on said units are angularly offset with reference toone another by 90.

11. A cleaning device, particularly for cleaning the interior ofreceptacles, comprising a foldable and spreadable framework including aplurality of tubes each having one end portion and another end portion;mounting means including a pipe mounting said framework for rotationabout an axis; a distributor associated with said pipe and having aplurality of nipples extending from and communicating with the interiorof said pipe, and a connecting sleeve turnably mounted on each of saidnipples and having at least one aperture communicating with the interiorof the associated nipple, each of said one end portion being fixed toand communicating with one of said connecting sleeves; spray heads onsaid other end portions; drive means associated with said framework andoperative for effecting rotation of the same about said axis, said drivemeans including a hydraulic drive unit powered by some of the fluidunder pressure and having a rotatable output portion in form of an outersleeve coaxial with said axis, said hydraulic drive unit having a centerpassage for liquid under pressure which is coaxial with said pipe andhas an inner cross section corresponding to that of said pipe; operatingmeans for folding and spreading said framework; connecting meansconnecting said mounting means with said outer sleeve for rotationtherewith; motion-imparting means for imparting stepwise rotary motionto said outer sleeve; and supply means for supplying fluid underpressure to said spray heads.

12. A cleaning device as defined in claim 11, wherein said tubes eachhave a bend adjacent the respectively associated connecting sleeve.

1. A cleaning device, particularly for cleaning the interior ofreceptacles, comprising a foldable and spreadable framework including aplurality of elongated members; mounting means including a pipepivotably mounting said framework for rotation about an axis; drivemeans associated with said framework and operative for effectingrotation of the same about said axis; operating means for folding andspreading said framework, including a sleeve slidable along said pipe,linkage arms articulately linking said members with said sleeve, andmoving means for effecting movement of said sleeve along said pipebetween two end positions in which said framework is respectively foldedand spread; a plurality of spray heads mounted on said framework; andsupply means for supplying fluid under pressure to said spray heads. 2.A cleaning device as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive meanscomprises a hydraulic drive unit.
 3. A cleaning device as defined inclaim 2, wherein said hydraulic drive unit is powered by some of thefluid under pressure and comprises a rotatable output portion coaxialwith said axis.
 4. A cleaning device as defined in claim 3, wherein saidoutput portion is an outer sleeve of said hydraulic drive unit; furthercomprising connecting means connecting said mounting means with saidouter sleeve for rotation therewith; and motion-imparting means forimparting stepwise rotary motion to said outer sleeve.
 5. A cleaningdevice as defined in claim 4, said hydraulic drive unit having a centerpassage for liquid under pressure, and said pipe being coaxial with saidpassage and having an inner cross-section corresponding to that of thepassage.
 6. A cleaning device as defined in claim 5; further comprisinga distributor associated with said pipe and spray heads for distributingfluid under pressure from the former to the latter.
 7. A cleaningdevice, particularly for cleaning the interior of receptacles,comprising a foldable and spreadable framework including a plurality ofelongated members; mounting means including a pipe pivotably mountingsaid framework for rotation about an axis and including an extension anda plurality of spray heads; a distributor associated with said pipe andspray heads for distributing fluid under pressure from the former to thelatter, said extension projecting beyond said distributor; drive meansassociated with said framework and operative for effecting rotation ofthe same about said axis, said drive means including a hydraulic driveunit powered by some of the fluid under pressure and having a rotatableoutput portion in form of an outer sleeve coaxial with said axis, saidhydraulic drive unit having a center passage for liquid under pressurewhich is coaxial with said pipe and has an inner cross sectioncorresponding to that of said pipe; operating means for folding andspreading said framework, including a sleeve slidable along saidextension, linkage arms articulately linking said member with saidsleeve, and moving means for effecting movement of said sleeve alongsaid extension between two end positions in which said framework isrespectively folded and spread; connecting means connecting saidmounting means with said outer sleeve for rotation therewith;motion-imparting means for imparting stepwise rotary motion to saidsleeve; and supply means for supplying fluid under pressure to saidspray heads.
 8. A cleaning device as defined in claim 7, wherein saidmembers of said framework are elongated units each provided with aplurality of said spray heads and each articulately carried by saidpipe.
 9. A cleaning device as defined in claim 8, said framework furthercomprising a plurality of tubes each having a first end portionarticulated to said distributor, and a second end portion articulated toone of said units in an end region thereof, a plurality of arms eachhaving spaced end portions articulated to said extension and to anopposite end portion of one of said units, respectively; and whereinsaid sleeve surrounds said extension intermediate said distributor andsaid arms.
 10. A cleaning device as defined in claim 8, whereinrespective arms of said spray heads on said units are angularly offsetwith reference to one another by 90*.
 11. A cleaning device,particularly for cleaning the interior of receptacles, comprising afoldable and spreadable framework including a plurality of tubes eachhaving one end portion and another end portion; mounting means includinga pipe mounting said framework for rotation about an axis; a distributorassociated with said pipe and having a plurality of nipples extendingfrom and communicating with the interior of said pipe, and a connectingsleeve turnably mounted on each of said nipples and having at least oneaperture communicating with the interior of the associated nipple, eachof said one end portion being fixed to and communicating with one ofsaid connecting sleeves; spray heads on said other end portions; drivemeans associated with said framework and operative for effectingrotation of the same about said axis, said drive means including ahydraulic drive unit powered by some of the fluid under pressure andhaving a rotatable output portion in form of an outer sleeve coaxialwith said axis, said hydraulic drive unit having a center passage forliquid under pressure which is coaxial with said pipe and has an innercross section corresponding to that of said pipe; operating means forfolding and spreading said framework; connecting means connecting saidmounting means with said outer sleeve for rotation therewith;motion-imparting means for imparting stepwise rotary motion to saidouter sleeve; and supply means for supplying fluid under pressure tosaid spray heads.
 12. A cleaning device as defined in claim 11, whereinsaid tubes each have a bend adjacent the respectiveLy associatedconnecting sleeve.